I My Betta Just Getting Old?

[guppy2002]

i have a male betta in a 10g community tank. when i first got him he was dark blue and red. I've had him 2 years now.hes not as bright in color, his fins have gotten very short(he almost looks like a female),and he has a white spot on his head. the other fish are not aggresive at all. is this just my betta getting old??? 

 

[ncguppy830]

can you provide a pic? bettas at the store are like 6 months so yours is around 2 years and a half which is old for a betta although discoloration can mean other things also  IE disease agression.

 

[guppy2002]

i will get some pictures. though they will probably not be very good ones!

 

[ncguppy830]

Thats fine any pics will help.

 

[tmoney7]

Could also just be the quality of the food being given to the betta as the better quality the better looking and more healthy the betta will be.  Also on another note i have managed to have a betta that i kept for five years in a 5 gal bowl.

 

[BerryAttack]

if the fins have gotten short, then he was either nipped or has fin rot. if the white spot on his head looks like a piece of salt then it could be the start of ich.. but a picture would be better.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Water parameters and tank mates would also be helpful

 

[guppy2002]

i feed all of my fish goldfish food. they all like it and eat it. his tank mates are 3 cardinal tetras, 2 h-something rasboras, and a 2in catfish thing.
the spot on his head has actually been there for a long time.

 

[ncguppy830]

well bettas cannot eat flakes only pellets, tropical fish cannot eat goldfish flakes and the cardinals and rasboras need 6 each plus the cardinals need a bigger tank.

 

[Meeresstille]

Sounds like he's a sick little fish.
 
Fish who are stressed will lose their colour. It could very well be environmental, but it could also be that there is something genetic to blame. The food really is not ideal for a Betta, and could also cause problems as time goes on! Bettas are carnivores, if you look at the ingredients of the goldfish food you will probably see that it is more for omnivores!
 
Is there a way you could set up a 5 gallon just for him, to see if that would improve his condition? 
 
Also, what is your tank maintenance routine? How often do you change the water and how much? What do you keep the temperature at in the tank?

 

[Creature]

Oh boy, I hope he gets better!

 

[attibones]

I agree with the above. Betta fish can thrive upwards of five years, but shortening fins is not a sign of age. I wonder if you have nippy fish in there. Some will only nip in the dark. Depending on the catfish, your betta may be getting barbed. Check your decorations to see how sharp they are. Is your betta a veil tail? These fish are more prone to fin rot, I believe, and it seems as though their stock is less hardy than some of the others. Again, pictures would be more than appreciated.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Water parameters? Ammonia and nitrite mainly, as well as temperature of the tank.

 

[guppy2002]

i will try to change my fish's food

 

[Ninjouzata]

So I take it you refuse to give water parameters? Any chance of a picture then?